DC4 – Object oriented edge-casting using semantic encoding

Aalborg University (AAU) is an international public university with campuses in Aalborg, Esbjerg, and Copenhagen, Denmark. Founded in 1974, the university awards bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and PhD degrees in a wide variety of subjects within humanities, social sciences, information technology, design, engineering, exact sciences, and medicine.

Aalborg University differentiates itself from the older and more traditional Danish universities with its focus on interdisciplinary, inter-faculty studies; an experimental curriculum based on an interdisciplinary basic course with subsequent specialisation; a pedagogical structure based on problem-centred, real-life projects of educational and research relevance – which internationally has become known and recognised as The Aalborg Model. With the problem-based, project-organised model, semesters at AAU are centred around complex real-life problems which students attempt to find answers to in a scientific manner while working together in groups.

In February 2007, the foundation of the UICEE Centre for Problem Based Learning (UCPBL) paid recognition to Aalborg University, which subsequently led to the appointment of AAU as UNESCO Chair in problem-based learning. Aalborg university has +3,800 employees and +19,400 students. In 2022 Aalborg University had 826 PhD students, of whom 215 at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design.

The candidate will be based in Copenhagen at CMI (Communication Media and Information Technologies) at Department of electronic systems, with 40 staff and 350 students studying different aspects of future Communication and media technologies.

This PhD project is titled: Object oriented edge-casting using semantic encoding and is part of WP5 Digital infrastructure.

Media distribution is undergoing radical transformations from dedicated infrastructures (e.g. DAB, FM and DVB-T) to IP based distribution infrastructures, and heterogeneous networks and storage environments based on Cloud based services, CDNs and Edge Computing. This complex chain of delivery has negative implications for the robustness needed for delivery of media content e.g. in events of crisis and emergency.

On the other side, there is a high degree of synergy and convergence between the dedicated media platforms, including over-the-top and the ongoing development of 5G and 6G. With new network structures, also conditions for content creation changes; it can be assembled ‘on the fly’ allowing for a highly granular and personalised media experience, as formulated in SMPTE ST 2110 suite of standards for video, audio and data over IP. This research asses the implications for public interest media of these fundamental changes and the implications for the robustness of the media infrastructure.

The position addresses the implications for the robustness of media delivery infrastructures in the shift from the robust architecture of radio-TV transmitters and receivers to the far more complex and fragile structure of ‘over-the-top’ (IP-based) media delivery.

The project will model optimal architectures of IP based media for efficient utilization of the underlying resources while securing robustness in delivery.

The position requires relocation to Denmark as the candidate will be enrolled in the PhD programme of Aalborg University. The project is conducted under the supervision of Reza Tadayoni, Associate Professor at Aalborg University, and Helle Sjøvaag, Professor at the University of Stavanger. It will involve close collaboration with other Doctoral Candidates in the RePIM doctoral Network Project, and an academic secondment of approximately 2 months at the University of Stavanger in Norway. The candidate will also carry out 3-month internship at the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in Geneva.

The PhD position is part of RePIM – Revisioning Public Interest Media, a four-year Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) Doctoral Network dedicated to reimagining the role and future of Public Interest Media in a data-driven, platform-dominated environment. RePIM brings together leading European universities, industry partners, and 12 Doctoral Candidates in an interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral training and research programme. The network investigates how Public Interest Media can remain relevant, sustainable, and impactful by transforming how content is produced, packaged, distributed, and supported organisationally and technologically. Through its focus on strategic innovation, organisational change, and media management, RePIM equips its doctoral researchers with advanced analytical and managerial skills to help reshape Public Interest Media across diverse European contexts.

MSCA eligibility requirements

• At the time of recruitment, candidates must not already hold a doctoral degree.
• Applicants of any nationality are welcome to apply. However, researchers must not have lived or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the host country (in this case: Denmark) for more than 12 months within the 36 months immediately preceding their recruitment date. Candidates must be willing to move to Denmark for the duration of the PhD research.

Project-specific profile requirements

• A Master’s degree in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) or media sciences. A master’s degree of 120 ECTS points is an official requirement for enrolment as PhD at Aalborg University.
• Candidates with background in media science must document expertise and interest in technology research related to communication and media infrastructures.   
• Willingness to engage in international mobility in line with the MSCA-DN framework (meetings, training sessions, research stays and industry stays, etc.).

Requirements for competence in English

Applicants who are planning to complete a doctoral thesis in English and who do not have English as a first language or who have not completed an English language-based Master’s programme (or an equivalent educational achievement in English) shall provide documentation that they have passed one of the following official tests with the respective minimum score: IELTS (band score): 7, TOEFL (paper-based): 600, TOEFL (internet-based): 100. The language test must be no more than five years old at the time of the application.

English skills may also be documented in the following manner:

1) An English taught qualifying upper secondary school diploma, Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK or Ireland.

2) A Nordic or German upper secondary school diploma, International Baccalaureate (from the IB diploma programme) or European Baccalaureate (from Schola Europaea) with an English level equivalent to a Danish B level in English with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (Danish grade scale).

3) A Danish Upper secondary school diploma – ‘English level B’ or 4) a Danish Upper secondary school diploma – ‘English level A’.

In this role, you will work with researchers at two prominent European institutions in media and communication research. You will collaborate closely with other researchers in a European consortium of leading studies institutes in the field, as well as conduct an international secondment with a relevant organisation in your field of research.

The planned starting date is 1 May 2026.

We offer an attractive compensation and benefits package, including the following:

• A full-time PhD-scholarship, for 36 months.
• An attractive salary in accordance with the MSCA Call 2025 regulations for Doctoral Researchers, including a monthly living allowance, a mobility allowance, and a family allowance (only if applicable).
• International mobility for academic secondment (at the University of Stavanger, Norway) and a paid industry internship at the European Broadcasting Union (Geneva).
• A wide range of training possibilities and participation in international conferences.
• Being part of an Interdisciplinary environment with high degree of research in Communication and media technologies.
• Being part of Digital Transformation research group at CMI with possibilities to work and interact with other research groups, including the Edge Computing and Networking (ECN) research group at CMI.
• The candidate can benefit from CMI’s collaborations with the organisations and industries related to Media, including DR and TV2.
• The candidate benefits from CMI being a part of Nordic Media Network.

Applications for this position closed on 31 January 2026, 23:59 CET.

Application process:

• Step 1: initial selection based on application file
• Step 2: first round of interviews with long-listed candidates (est. February–March 2026)
• Step 3: second round of interviews with short-listed candidates (March 2026)
• Starting date: est. 1 May 2026.